Maravi

Zambia's HIV prevalence rate drops to 14.3%

Zambia's HIV prevalence rate drops to 14.3%
By Namakau Nalumango
Wednesday May 28, 2008 [04:00]

HEALTH minister Dr Brian Chituwo yesterday disclosed that the national average HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has decreased from 16 per cent to 14.3 per cent. And United Nations resident coordinator Aeneas Chuma advised the government to channel part of the windfall tax collected from the mines towards organisations dealing in the fight against HIV/AIDS instead of depending on external partners.

During the official release of the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey results at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, Dr Chituwo also disclosed that the national HIV/AIDS prevalence rate had decreased in all provinces except for Western, Luapula and Central provinces.

He said the provinces with HIV prevalence rate above the national average of 14.3 per cent were Lusaka at 21 per cent, Central at 18 per cent, Copperbelt at 17 per cent and Western at 15 per cent. Others are Southern at 14.5 per cent.

The remaining provinces that had prevalence rates below the national average are Luapula at 13.2 per cent, Eastern at 10.3 per cent and North Western at 6.9 per cent.
According to the report, North Western and Northern provinces had the lowest prevalence rates of below seven per cent.

However, Dr Chituwo said knowledge about the HIV and AIDS and its awareness remained at 99 per cent.

He said 17 per cent of women and 38 per cent of men captured in the survey reported that they had sex in the last 12 months with someone who was not their spouse.
“Among those having higher-risk sex, 37 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men reported that they used a condom at the last sexual encounter,” he said.

Dr Chituwo also said the HIV prevalence rate in the adult population aged between 15 and 49 years decreased from 15.6 per cent in 2001 to 14.3 per cent in 2007.
He said evidence from the survey showed improved health and demographic indicators towards achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“Specifically, there is improvement in maternal healthcare and a decrease in child mortality in the country,” noted Dr Chituwo. “There is also improved protection against malaria for the general public and amongst pregnant women. The HIV prevalence rate is also on the decline.”

And Chuma in a vote of thanks said the national HIV prevalence rate, which had decreased did not happen by itself but required vision, strategy on the part of the government, investment and robust partnership.

“As the minister has said, we don’t beat our chests enough. It’s important that we recognise progress and celebrate. In fact, progress begins by recognising what has been accomplished,” he said. “We don’t need to sit on our laurels but we should continue to build from there.”
Chuma said in the last five years, Zambia had witnessed sustainable economic growth, a decline in interest rates, a stable currency and a growing confidence in foreign investors willing to invest in the country.

“… It requires good leadership to achieve all that. The report says we have made progress in the fight against HIV. 14.3 per cent is lower than 16 per cent given the pervasive nature of AIDS,” he said.

Chuma attributed the decrease in prevalence rates to the national response and the maturity of the government as evidenced in strong policies and strategic action. However, he said there was need to scale up prevention because that was where the future lay.

“We need to invest more in prevention, we also need to be mindful of the new challenges,” said Chuma.

Labels: HIV/AIDS

posted by MrK @ 3:22 AM